Rain Set To Return To Alabama

An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.

BACK TO WET WEATHER: Needless to say, any forecast of rain or thunderstorms is an important one for our state now with so many tornado disaster areas. People are rushing to put tarps over damaged structures and protect belongings.

The good news is that the severe weather threat with this incoming system is very minimal. Having said that, you always have to watch weather systems in early May, but with a strong upper ridge (5880 meters at 500 mb) just southeast of here, that will tend to keep the best dynamic lift to the west and north of Alabama. Wind fields are not that strong, and there is little if any veering of the wind with altitude. SPC does NOT have any formal severe weather risk in place for Alabama… just low end 5 percent probabilities.

TIMING: While most of the day today should be dry, a few scattered showers and storms could form this afternoon, primarily over Northwest Alabama. The bulk of the rain will come tonight and tomorrow.

HOW MUCH? Rain amounts should average 1/2 to 1 inch over the next 36 hours; the heavier totals should be over the northwest counties of the state.

MUCH COOLER TOMORROW: As the rain falls tomorrow, much cooler air flows into the state. While we expect a high in the mid 80s today, tomorrow will be a different kind of day with temperatures holding in the 60s all day. We note the GFS suggests that we actually fall into the upper 50s by afternoon.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: These three days will feature delightful weather, with sunny pleasant days and clear cool nights. The GFS is actually printing 38 degrees for Birmingham at daybreak Wednesday, which will be clearly our coolest morning. Then, we reach the low 70s Wednesday afternoon, upper 70s Thursday, and low 80s Friday. Dry air means no rain.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Saturday looks mostly sunny and warm with a high in the low to mid 80s. A weak front could kick off a few widely scattered showers Sunday afternoon, but for now the chance of anything really widespread looks small.

LONG RANGE: As we peer into the land of voodoo, the good news is that we see nothing to suggest any major severe weather threat for the next 15 days across our state. See the Weather Xtreme video for more details on long range thoughts.

TORNADO RELIEF: My Facebook page is being used to match people with resources with people in need… it has been remarkable watch this unfold in recent days. I am so thankful for the power of social media being put to good use.

WEATHERBRAINS: A very special show is in store tonight. We will cover the epic April 27, 2011 outbreak in Alabama in detail, with visits from Jason Simpson, John Oldshue, Mike Wilhelm and John Brown, as well as the regular cast of characters, who all were actively covering the event last Wednesday. Listen live on UStream at 8 p.m. CDT (notice the early start), or later on iTunes or at www.weatherbrains.com.

FOLLOW ALONG: Here are our weather team Twitter accounts….

I have a weather program planned today at Shades Mountain Christian School… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: rain

Category: Alabama's Weather